K.C. Crain, 30, has been named vice president/ group publisher at Crain Communications Inc., with responsibility for Plastics News, Rubber & Plastics News, Tire Business and Waste & Recycling News, based in Akron, Ohio. He also will supervise the European-based titles of European Plastics News, European Rubber Journal, Plastics and Rubber Weekly and Urethanes Technology International.
He continues as publisher of Detroit-based AutoWeek.
“I am honored that both my sons, Chris and K.C., find the same excitement in our company that my brother Rance and I share. They represent the third generation of the Crain family to have leadership roles at the business my Dad founded in 1916,” said Keith E. Crain, chairman of Detroit-based Crain Communications Inc.
“These titles represent some of the strongest brands in our company,” said K.C. Crain. “I am really looking forward to working with their talented staff on a variety of new initiatives.”
Tony Eagan, publisher of Plastics News Global Group and a vice president of Crain Communications Inc., stressed that K.C. Crain's involvement will continue the stability at Crain Communications, a privately held company that was founded in 1916.
“We welcome K.C.'s guidance and input. This is very much a family-held business, and in light of the changing landscape in publishing, it's good to have principals directly involved, with hands-on publishing experience,” Eagan said.
K.C. Crain was named a vice president of Crain Communications in May 2008 and publisher of AutoWeek in March 2007. He also has held the roles of associate publisher and advertising director at AutoWeek. Before that, he served as a reporter for Automotive News, and as an early member of the Crain Communications New Media department.
A resident of Birmingham, Mich., Crain is a graduate of Denison University. He is a partner at Cornerstone Schools and is involved with the Detroit Historical Society and the College for Creative Studies.
Crain Communications comprises 29 consumer, regional and trade brands, with numerous related websites, events and electronic data products. It employs more than 900 worldwide.